Book IV : Kishkindha Kanda - The Empire of Holy Monkeys

Chapter [Sarga] 21Verses converted to UTF-8, Nov 09

Introduction

Hanuma tries to console Tara. He asserts that Angada will not be looked down. Though Vali is put to
his plight, Hanuma says, that Tara alone is the empress to lead Kishkindha kingdom. But Tara prefers
self-immolation along with her husband Vali.

"Living beings on doing the deeds of merit or demerit, or knowingly or unknowingly, will derive the
resultant fruits of those deeds according to one's own destiny even after demise, and they shall bear
them unrepentantly, may they be provident or improvident... [4-21-2]

"Of which lamentable one you lament while you yourself are in a lamentable state? Of which pitiable
one you take pity while you yourself are in a pitiable condition? Who is pitiable by whom in these bubbles
like bodies? [4-21-3]

"You are the one with a living son, and you have to look after this young one Angada, and you have to
think of the forthcoming activities for his well-being and for his performance of duty towards his father.
[4-21-4]

"You are aware that the coming and going of beings, in their subtle forms of earth, water, fire, air
and space into this mortal life and back is uncertain, thereby the prudent ones have to perform auspicious
worldly deeds here in this world, say, the funeral of Vali. [4-21-5]

"By which reason this Vali conducted himself judiciously, observing friendliness, courteousness and
forgivingness, by that reason alone Vali is going to a domain in heavens which he righteously conquered
for himself, and it is unapt of your sorrowing for him. [4-21-7]

"Whatever duty anticipated from a male descendent towards his father, and whatever activity that is
to be done presently in respect of the dying king, let them be done, and that would be a timely decision.
[4-21-10]

This expression also means smashaana vyraagya 'burial-ground renunciation...' In that, 'all
this has happened so according to Time's decision...'
arthaa gR^ihaat
nivartante aa smashaanaat tu baandhava | sukR^itam duShkR^itam caiva gacchantam anucacChgati ||'wealth
and means remain in house, relatives come up to graveyard, only Merit and Demerit follow the goer...'

"Let there be a hundred selfsame Angada-s on one side, and this brave one the other, for me embracing
him who is put to death is the best .... [4-21-13]

This verse is said to be difficulkt one to derive meaning kiSTa anvaya. There is another narration
of this verse omitting the first foot of next stanza and it reads: kim kaaryam pati hiinayaaH putraaNaam ayutaiH api | pitR^ivyah tasya sugriivaH sarva kaaryeShu anantaraH
||

"Indeed there is nothing highly befitting to me, either in this world or in the other, than the auspices
of the king of monkeys, and now to me the only befitting thing is to join in this brave one on this
death bed, which he is adoring when put to death while he is facing away. [4-21-16]

- - -

इति वाल्मीकि रामायणे आदि काव्ये किष्किन्ध काण्डे एक विंशः सर्गः

Thus, this is the 21st chapter in Kishkindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.